The first lap is normal. Skylar and Mackie move quickly through the ranks. Blizzard trails them, and Nos is right behind them. They are following every move Blizzard makes like they are stalking them. I know Mackie and Sky hate it. I can hear their grumbling.
“Stay focused. Ignore them and run your own race,” I advise into the mic, my arms crossed tightly as I watch the screens.
By the second lap, Nos has passed Blizzard and are right behind my guys. “Be careful, they are on your tail. No risks, boys. I mean it.”
“Got it,” Mackie replies, but he seems tense, and it’s affecting his driving. He moves right toward Skylar when Orson gets close, and it gives Nos the opening they need. They slip past Skylar and Mackie, but rather than overtaking them, they level out, one on each side.
Orson and Nos’s other driver box in Sky and Mackie, pushing them close together, and I know it isn’t going to end well. Most drivers would move on now, pulling forward, but they don’t, forcing them tighter. A rough bend is coming up, and I know they will crash at it. I can almost see it, and the idea of either of them crashing and being hurt . ..
No.
“Pull back now!” I roar into the mic, and even they must see the threat because both of them drop back, allowing Nos to pull into the lead as they cross the line.
It means Skylar comes in third and Mackie fourth. It’s the lowest they have ranked in a very long time, but they are safe, and that’s all that matters.
They hate losing. They are gracious in their post-race interviews, but they troop to the showers together, their heads hung low, and I watch them go, knowing I need to fix this. I don’t want them to lose confidence and hope, which means Clarke was right. I need to guide them and show them it’s okay to lose as long as they pick themselves up and try again.
I’m turning away to follow them and do just that when I feel someone behind me. Our paddock is supposed to be empty, and our team is packing the cars, so I turn, my eyes widening when I find Amanda.
“What the fuck do you want?” I snap, my hands fisting at my sides. I want to throttle her. I’ve never hit a woman before, but I’m so fucking tempted.
She put my team in danger, and I will never forgive her for everything she has done, but risking the people I care about most? It’s unforgivable. Her parents might have bought her way out of jail for assaulting me, but they can’t save her now.
“I just came to talk.” My eyes narrow, and she rolls hers. “Fine, I’ll get to the point. You saw today’s race, so you know what my racers are capable of, especially Orson. He’s very . . . determined to win and do as I wish—everything I wish, no matter who gets in his way. You know better than most, Noah, how dangerous this sport can be. You want your boys to be safe? You want them to win? I can make that happen. All you have to do is marry me.”
I step right into her face, and her eyes widen with desire, which makes me sick as her head tilts back so she can see me. I let her see my hatred and anger. “Not in your wildest dreams,” I spit. “There is nothing in this world that could ever make me marry you. You’re desperate, and it’s sickening.” She flinches like I slapped her. “Have some fucking class and leave quietly. Me and my boys don’t need you to give them anything. They’ll win on their own, and if you dare put them in danger again, I will destroy everything you and your family have built from the ground up. Every inch of it. Is it really worth ruining your and your family’s lives?”
“I’ll do anything to have you,” she whispers, seemingly subdued.
“Then you’re a fool, and you’ll be the only one who ends up hurt,” I scoff, disgusted as I look her over. “You don’t belong here or in my life. You never did. I tried to be nice, but now I’m being direct. If you or your drivers so much as hurt a hair on my boys’ heads, you’ll know exactly what I’m capable of. You all think I am so calm and nice. Try me. There’s a reason I am where I am. Youdon’t stand a chance. Give up and walk away. Last warning.” I turn away.
I’m just at the door to the inner building when she calls out, “I’m never giving up, so I’ll see you at the next race, and we’ll see how much you’re willing to risk for their health and safety. Remember my offer. It’s never too late.”
I slam the door behind me, cutting her off. I refuse to give her what she wants. She gets her way so often, she isn’t used to anyone saying no. Maybe I was too kind in the past, letting her think she had a chance for the sake of our families, but she’s overstepped too many times. She’s nothing but my enemy now, and I’ll do anything to keep my family safe.
Opening the locker room door, I find Mackie and Sky sprawled on the benches in their towels, their expressions downright distraught. Taking a deep breath, I step inside, not letting on to Amanda’s threat—they don’t need to worry about it.
“One loss and this is how I find you? I thought you were stronger than that, but I guess I was wrong,” I say.
“Third and fourth, boss. I’ve never been anything but first,” Skylar whines, his arm tossed over his face.
“It’s good to lose every now and then. It builds character, and when you win next time, it will mean much more. Now, stop moping. It was one race,” I order. “I’ve lost before, now so have you. We still have every opportunity left. Are you going to sit around licking your wounds or get your asses up and work hard so next time, you win and show them who you are?”
Mackie sits up, eyeing me, his lips in an adorable pout. “I want to lick my wounds first.”
“Me too. I want to moan and whine so my boy looks after me.” Sky tilts his head back on the bench and looks at me upside down. “I’ll still kick their asses next time, but for now, I’m going to feel sorry for myself until my hubby makes me feel better.”
“Big babies,” I grumble as I walk over and lift Mackie, dropping him on my lap. He struggles at first before rolling his eyes and leaning into me. I press my hand to his hip, the other on his bare thigh where the towel has ridden up. “Fine, one day of moping, that’s it. Then, you will be back out there, determined to win. You won’t give them anything to use against you. We are going to win this year’s title, and you won’t even remember today’s race.”
“Fine, boss man,” Skylar whines, “but when Bones gets here, don’t say that shit. At least help me get him to baby me.”
“Fuck.” I rest my chin on Mackie’s shoulder. “You’re such a manipulative bastard.”
“Like you aren’t? You never lost a race,” he scoffs as he sits up, eyeing me and Mackie. “Your hand is under his towel. For the love of Jesus, tell me you aren’t jerking him off while I’m sitting right here, man. Not cool.”
“What? No!” Mackie exclaims as he looks down, seeing my hand. “Fuck off, Sky. It isn’t even under the towel.”
“Yet.” Skylar wiggles his brows, grinning. “Want me to stand guard outside?”
